Comments for Mariners Insiderhttp://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners
Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:53:28 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0Comment on We’re changing the look on our blogs at The News Tribune by westside_guyhttp://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/2015/07/15/were-changing-the-look-on-our-blogs-at-the-news-tribune/#comment-93869
Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:53:28 +0000http://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/?p=34971#comment-93869I cancelled my News Tribune subscription back when they moved the main site to Facebook. Even though I was still able to comment on the blog, I largely stopped doing so at about that same time – so in practice this doesn’t affect me all that much.

At the time it was a wrenching decision though. I grew up with the TNT (I remember how much I looked forward to reading Denny MacGougan’s column way back in the day). Newspapers have served an important role in our country’s history.

But when a newspaper starts depending on one of the most egregious privacy violators on the planet for part of its basic business function, I figure the role of that newspaper to keep its local citizenry dispassionatelly informed has taken a fatal blow.

Interestingly, just yesterday I received a letter in the mail inviting me to re-subscribe to the TNT at a reduced price. Good timing with this announcement guys! You just reminded me of why I left.

]]>Comment on Mariners showing interest in veteran reliever Jason Frasor by Coach81http://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/2015/07/14/mariners-showing-interest-in-veteran-reliever-jason-frasor/#comment-93865
Wed, 15 Jul 2015 23:11:37 +0000http://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/?p=34966#comment-93865Unfortunately, the bullpen was due for a regression after last season. I only half agree with McClendon though. Yes, the bullpen, and the right-handers in particular outside of Smith and Lowe, have been awful. But having a pathetic offense makes the margin for error so small that nearly every appearance by the bullpen is high pressure. Recipe for disaster.

]]>Comment on Mariners’ 2015 Mid-Season Report by Coach81http://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/2015/07/15/mariners-2015-mid-season-report/#comment-93864
Wed, 15 Jul 2015 23:08:38 +0000http://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/?p=34969#comment-93864The Mariners have drafted and developed talent so poorly over the last 10 years, it is almost unbelievable. It’s hard to believe that the same organization that produced homegrown (or traded for them before they became) stars like Junior, Edgar, Randy Johnson, Jay Buhner, Omar Vizquel, Alex Rodriguez, Tino Martinez, and Felix Hernandez has fallen to the point that none of our first-rounders in the last 11 years has made a significant impact at the major league level. Our trades haven’t been any better. The last two GM’s have been disasters, and the team has ran through how many managers since Pinella left?

]]>Comment on Mariners’ 2015 Mid-Season Report by dwcoophttp://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/2015/07/15/mariners-2015-mid-season-report/#comment-93863
Wed, 15 Jul 2015 20:09:01 +0000http://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/?p=34969#comment-93863Those are the facts. Just the objective facts. And People spent a lot of time to put them to paper. They are presented without emotion, without opinion, without prejudice.

But the subjective side of the story is not flattering. Many sports writers had the M’s winning the Division, and some even winning the AL Championship and participating in the World Series for the first time.

Needless to say that doesn’t look promising. In fact, quite the contrary. The team as it stands today doesn’t look like a championship team — it’s not really a competitive team. And the M’s farm system has been depleted and the remaining prospects struggling in the minors.

Zduriencik’s original plan was to rebuild the farm because it had been neglected by Bavasi.

However, Zduriencik has not drafted any better — or he’s failed to develop them.

Looking back (this includes Bavasi’s picks the M’s have not had a successful 1st round pick since Adam Jones in 2003. Since then it’s been:

Alex Jackson, although only 19 has been sent back to the lowest level (Everrett);
DJ. Peterson is struggling in AA Jackson
Zunino is struggling in Seattle
Hultzen has had injury problems his entire career and yet to throw one pitch in the Majors
Walker is inconsistent and may turn out to be a star, but not yet.
Ackley is a bust.
And of those picked by Bavasi, only Morrow has seen a significant time in the Majors – though not with the M’s.

So, Zduriencik has abandoned his farm and brought in free agents.
Cruz clearly has performed the best.
Cano, has been a huge disappointed given his $240 million commitment.
Morrison, has not been much better than Smoak.
Jackson, not what he was his first years in Detroit.
Ruggles, demoted to Tacoma.
Bloomquist, gone.
Smith, an average player at best.

As for the former prospects, only Seager has made the grade. Probably the 5th best 3rd baseman in the American League.
Miller, Taylor, Ackley, Zunino, all at this point less than average major leaguers.

So, for me, my Mid Season Report: Maybe the biggest disappointment in the last 13 years, given the expectation.

]]>Comment on Mariners hit the All-Star break with a thud in 10-3 loss to Angels by SamBammerhttp://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/2015/07/12/mariners-hit-the-all-star-break-with-a-thud-in-10-3-loss-to-angels/#comment-93862
Mon, 13 Jul 2015 02:57:57 +0000http://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/?p=34944#comment-93862We’ll see if they’ve got anything new for the 2nd half or just more of the same. I’m not going to get my hopes up. It’s been too ugly too often, just like today.

]]>Comment on Mariners hit the All-Star break with a thud in 10-3 loss to Angels by MP123http://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/2015/07/12/mariners-hit-the-all-star-break-with-a-thud-in-10-3-loss-to-angels/#comment-93861
Mon, 13 Jul 2015 02:17:09 +0000http://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/?p=34944#comment-93861The M’s are not “a better club than that.”
At least, not with this manager.

I think McClendon lost this team when he f-ed off to his daughter’s wedding in late August last year. If the manager doesn’t care, why should anyone else?

A team that was supposed to be a contender is tied for the fewest wins in the American league. Will anyone be held accountable?

]]>Comment on Mariners lose 5-4 to Tigers after going 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position by MP123http://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/2015/07/08/mariners-rally-back-from-another-three-run-deficit-but-lose-5-4-to-tigers/#comment-93860
Thu, 09 Jul 2015 02:09:25 +0000http://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/?p=34857#comment-93860Btw, Rodney was named to the All-Stiff team:https://www.numberfire.com/mlb/news/5618/the-2015-all-stiff-team-who-has-been-baseball-s-worst

Incredibly, Zunino was not.
Rene Rivera beat him. But when you compare lines,

Rivera is: .169/.205/.280

Zunino is: .160/.228/.300

So close! And when you consider Zunino has been so bad for a full season and a half on a team that was expected to be a contender, how do you not give it to Mike?
BS